FIREX-AQ Investigators,
There has been another significant change in the DC-8 schedule that will affect test flights and SARP. After a day of conversations and assessments of the situation here in Palmdale, we want to provide another update on the situation. The schedule provided below is a best guess based on outlooks for completing DC-8 maintenance and upgrades to the oxygen system on the plane. As always, stay flexible and provide feedback on these updates to the plan as they affect you and your team.
1 – DC-8 investigators had access to the DC-8 much of today (interrupted by successful pressure test) and will have access to the plane tomorrow from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. After that, the plane will be placed fully in the hands of AFRC for completion of upgrade to the oxygen system. If any investigator decides to stay behind to get what time they can on the plane, they will not have any priority and can expect to only have short periods of continuous power on the plane.
2 – The timeline for finishing work on the DC-8 currently precludes conducting either test or SARP flights next week. Absolute best case would be that we can get the shakedown and proficiency flights done on Friday 28 June. In any event, we hope to get these 2 flights in before 4 July. If you have ANY loose ends that need attention to make your instrument ready for the shakedown flight, please let us know ASAP as we may be able to take care of things for you and save you a trip. We will be sure to announce the shakedown flight as soon as it can be scheduled with any reasonable certainty.
3 – The most likely plan going forward will include full access to the DC-8 for investigators on 8-10 July for those who need to continue instrument prep for the campaign. This will be followed by four days (11-14 July) with no access to the DC-8 or power to the hangar labs due to an AFRC safety day and planned electrical maintenance at the hangar. You are encouraged to return home for these 4 days.
4 – For now, anticipate returning on 14 July and planning for a busy week of Test/SARP flights. We are still working through ideas on the flight pace, but we are prepared to offer an extended preflight (half day) on Monday, 15 July, before we would conduct our first test flight.
Please send your feedback and questions, and respond quickly if you have items that need to be addressed before the shakedown flight.
Thanks to everyone for your patience!
FIREX-AQ Leadership
